Can I record a phone call or conversation in Cyprus?
As a rule no — a covert recording of a private conversation is constitutionally protected against. Article 17 of the Constitution guarantees the secrecy of communications and Article 15 private life; interference is permitted only as provided by law and, as a rule, with a court order. Interception of private communications is governed by Law 92(I)/1996. Under case law (Police v. Georghiades), covert recordings of a private conversation are inadmissible as evidence. Recording an identifiable person's voice is also data processing (GDPR / Law 125(I)/2018). In short: without consent or a court order, no.
📋 The rules
- Constitution: communications secrecy (art. 17), private life (art. 15)
- Interception: only with a court order (Law 92(I)/1996)
- Covert recording = as a rule inadmissible
- The other party's consent: far safer
- Recording a voice = data processing (GDPR)
🔓 Exceptions
- Lawful state interception with a court order (serious offences)
- Recording with consent / openly, with notice
- Journalistic/employment context: GDPR balancing, not a bypass of secrecy
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The main consequence is evidential: a covert private recording is liable to be excluded from any proceeding as unconstitutionally obtained; unlawful interception under Law 92(I)/1996 carries criminal liability. GDPR breaches are supervised by the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection. No specific euro fine for unlawful private recording could be verified. Beware a myth: "Cyprus is one-party consent, so if I'm in the conversation I can record it and use it in court" is false — constitutional secrecy means even a participant's covert recording can be ruled inadmissible (Georghiades). Tip: ask for express consent before recording.
📎 Official sources
- dataprotection.gov.cy · Commissioner →
- CyLaw · legislation/case law →
- Cyprus Mail · draft phone-tapping bill 2026 →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I covertly record a conversation?
As a rule no. The Constitution protects the secrecy of communications and private life, and a covert recording of a private conversation is generally inadmissible as evidence. Lawful interception requires a court order for serious offences.
Can I use it in court?
Usually not. Under case law, a covert recording of a private conversation can be excluded from the proceeding as unconstitutionally obtained, even if you're a party to the conversation. Courts may admit it only in limited cases.
Does consent help?
Yes. Recording with the other party's express consent, or a conversation you openly participate in with notice, is far safer than covert recording. It reduces the risk for both communications secrecy and data protection.
Does one-party consent apply?
Not as in some countries. The claim that being part of the conversation is enough to record it lawfully doesn't apply in Cyprus. The constitutional secrecy of communications can make even a participant's recording inadmissible.
What about personal data?
Recording an identifiable person's voice is processing of personal data under the GDPR and Law 125(I)/2018, which requires a lawful basis and is supervised by the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection. So covert recording also raises a data-protection issue.
🔎 Common searches
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